Ashland, OR

Any Southern Oregonian who plays in the vicinity where the Siskiyou and Cascade Mountains join in Southwestern Oregon understands the incredible beauty to be seen in this federally protected area of Jackson County containing the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Pacific Crest Trail hikers, horse back trail riders, snowmobilers, cross country skiers and snowshoers from all around come to this area to enjoy its natural beauty and easy accessibility.

At the junction of E. Hyatt Lake Road, which leads to the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, and Highway 66, about 10 miles South of Ashland Oregon you'll find the Green Springs Inn Restaurant and Lodge. After a handful of years being operated by different owners, this restaurant which first opened in 1982 and was purchased by the McGuires in 1994 is back in their tender loving care once again. The restaurant is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, and is a great stop for breakfast or lunch after your hike or ride. Like Blue Grass music? Stop by the third Sunday of every month between 2-6 p.m. and enjoy the "impromptu jam session" by local musicians. You'll find them at:

Green Springs Inn
11470 Highway 66
Ashland OR 97520
(541) 482-0614

For folks looking for a serene location for your overnight stays, you should look in to staying at the Green Springs Lodge or Cabins. Diarmuid McGuire gave us a tour of the new cabins they have available now, and those are worthy of their own article! Stunning location, amenities and story behind them, so stay tuned for a new article.

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

Did you know Route 66 winds its way right through Southern Oregon? It was such a wonderful Autumn Day, with temperatures in the high 70's. We were chomping at the bit to get out of the house and enjoy this day. What better destination to have than no destination at all? Having communicated earlier in the week with Diarmuid McGuire, owner of the Green Springs Inn located about 10 miles South of Ashland Oregon (the McGuires are back!), we thought we would start our meanderings in that direction, and head down Route 66 to see what Fall Foliage we might experience along the way.

The scrub oak are presenting their fabulous colors, coating entire hillsides with their rusty color palate.

The groves of birch trees we found after looping out around Hyatt Lake and Howard Prairie Lake made a brilliant splash of yellow against the vibrant green of their evergreen backdrop.

Looping back around Dead Indian Memorial, SR 37 and Highway 140 gave us our chance to bid our Summer playground adieu, while preparing ourselves for the different color palate we'll see when this playground becomes our Winter playground within the next couple of months.

This area sees a fair amount of snow each year, but the main roads are kept clear of snow leaving all our favorite spots accessible to us year round. Howard Prairie Lake Resort's season runs April 15 - October 15, but the rest of the area is open during the winter. We plan to make it to Table Mountain Winter Play Area for sledding, with lunch and hot cocoa afterward at either Hyatt Lake Resort's restaurant or at Green Springs Inn.

If the temperatures are cold enough this winter to freeze this section of the Howard Prairie Lake, we just might try snow shoeing from Camp Apserkaha over to Buck Island, which is one of our favorite places to anchor our boat off of when we sleep out under the stars in the Summer time.

We so love living and working in Southern Oregon!

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans

It is with great excitement that the new homeowners who have participated inthe Rogue Valley Community Development Corporation's Mutual Self-Help Program at Terrace Court are moving in to their homes. These 6 homeowners have completed their townhome units on the South side of Ashland on Siskiyou Blvd at Park Street, and are moving in to their homes. Congratulations to these homeowners and the incredible support system they have had through Rogue Valley Community Development Corporation and Jobs Corp teams that have helped these six families' dreams to become homeowners a reality!

Rogue Valley Community Development Corporation is a local non-profit housing developer who has successfully built a number of homes for low income Jackson County residents.

RVCDC held their meeting this past week for interested homeowners looking to participate in their next project, townhomes to be located in the new Verde Village project, a community of not only energy efficient, but utility independent homes. For more information, contact John Wheeler or Roxana Zepeda at Rogue Valley Communtiy Development Corporation in Medford, Oregon (541) 734-2355.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/487525/Affordable-Housing-for-Ashland

http://activerain.com/blogsview/294253/Utility-Independent-AND-Affordable

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

Tabu Restaurant & Martini Bar is a favorite choice of locals and visitors alike. If you are looking for Nuevo Latino Cuisine, Martinis and/or some late night Free Salsa Lessons and Salsa Dancing afterward to work off your delicious meal, Tabu is the place to go.

Check out Tabu Restaurant and Martini Bar in Downtown Ashland across from the Shakespeare Festival at:

76 North Pioneer
Ashland, OR 97520
Phone: 541-482-3900

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com

Allyson's Kitchen is a multi-faceted experience for its visitors. From their wonderful deli counter lunch offerings, to their Gourmet Chef supplies and cooking classes, to their Friday Night Wine Tastings, if you haven't been to Allyson's Kitchen, you are missing out on several wonderful experiences.

Check out Allyson's Kitchen in Downtown Ashland at:

115 East Main Street
Ashland, OR 97520
Phone: 541-482-2884

(Allyson's Kitchen is also open in Bend now, too.)

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com